Board of Directors
Advisory Council

Board of Directors

Both experienced and first time board members are welcome. While we would certainly welcome individuals with great connections and/or professional skills, such as an attorney, a PASSION for making a difference in peoples lives in rural areas of developing countries is absolutely critical. Experience with micro-enterprise development, micro-finance, skills development, women's empowerment or product development or marketing would also be helpful. Portuguese and/or Spanish skills would be also helpful but not critical. Candidates must reside in or travel regularly to the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted adviser to the Executive Director as he develops and implements CENs strategic plan
• Work with the Executive Director to set goals and objectives for the organization, and ensure they are properly executed;
• Approve CEN’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities;
• Identify and help recruit other Board Members;
• Drive resources to ensure the organization has the resources it needs to accomplish it's mission;
• All CEN Board Members will consider CEN a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that CEN can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals, we expect to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity;
• Engage colleagues, friends and others to our organization;
• Serve as an ambassador to the organization;
• Serve on at least one staff working group; and
• Thank donors for their support;

All board members are also expected to participate (in person or by teleconference) in monthly board meetings.

KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) Needed

• Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector;
• Possess clout, power and leverage, who have influence within their own community and among our constituency – people who can open doors, attract others to the cause and serve as ambassadors;
• A commitment to and understanding of CENs beneficiaries, preferably based on experience, and a passion for improving their lives;
• While specific fundraising experience is not required, we are looking for individuals with a proven capacity to mobilize resources;
• Comfortable and highly effective networking with peers;
• Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals;
• Personal qualities of integrity and credibility;
• International experience, particularly developing country experience highly preferred; and
• Strong legal and/or organization development skills are especially welcome at the present time.

Service on CENs Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs in relation to Board Members’ duties.  Please be able to commit a minimum average of 10 hours a month.

If you are interested, please send your resume and cover note to our volunteer coordinator 

View our board service commitment pledge (PDF) for more details.

Board selection process: the board selection process is fairly informal, but generally follows the following steps

1. Discussion with one member of the board, who will be your sponsor;
2. Telephone conversations or personal meetings, as appropriate, with at least 2 other current board member;
3. Join and participate on one of our working groups for a minimum of 45 days prior to being nominated to join the board. All board members are expected to continue serving on at least one working group after being elected to serve on the board;
4. Vote by the CEN membership which includes board members and most active volunteers

Advisory Council

The CEN Advisory Council is a consultative group that will assist the full board of Directors in the following ways:

• Endorse CEN by letting the organization use their name and support CEN in the community
• Help mobilize the community, including community leadership, for activities sponsored by the organization
• Consider an annual donation to CEN
• Give input and feedback to the Board regarding various issues
• Participate in the annual fundraising event by attending and/or inviting others to attend the annual fundraising event
• Define their own role/contribution to the organization by sharing expertise, advice, and contacts and by contributing time and talent on a “project” basis
• Optionally attend an annual all-day retreat with the full board/staff, or other meetings

• All Board communications, including email, program updates, and newsletters
• Invitations to CEN special events and board meetings (although they will be neither expected nor required to attend)
• Recognition for their service to CEN in information given to the public

Participation on the CEN Advisory Council is a wonderful way to support CEN without committing yourself to attend regular meetings

Estimated time commitment: Less than one hour per month

For more information on serving on either our Board of Directors or Advisory Council, please contact:

Robert Bortner
Tel: +1 (206) 329-6244